Minister MacKay Delivers the Welcoming Address at Fraser Institute

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 24, 2013) - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today welcomed participants to the Fraser Institute's Ottawa Board Retreat and Policy Excursion, taking the opportunity to outline the accomplishments of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in combating terrorism and international security threats.

"The recent attack in Boston brings to mind the events of September 11th, as well as the uncertainty in the immediate aftermath of the attacks," Minister MacKay said. "The calamity of that event, the shock that it produced, changed forever how Canada and our allies view security and pushed us to take a multi-faceted approach in dealing with terrorist threats."

Canada has taken decisive action to address the evolving threat of terrorism, by committing military members to a UN-mandated, NATO-led mission to Afghanistan, and ensuring the Canadian Forces are a modern, combat-capable, flexible force, able to defend Canada and Canadian interests at home and abroad.

Canadian Armed Forces members are actively involved in many ongoing missions in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean, in coordination with the UN, NATO and allied nations, contributing to international peace and security. In addition, Canada has engaged in coalition efforts to suppress destabilizing activities, such as the multinational effort in Libya, and participate in counter-terrorism operations in the Arabian Sea and elsewhere.

"The Boston Marathon bombings last week came as a reminder that the threat of terrorism remains very real, and that terrorism invariably brings with it huge and painful consequences," the Minister said. "And while today's complex security environment calls for a uniquely multidimensional and cooperative approach to operations I am confident in the abilities that our Canadian Armed Forces bring to this fight."